Participants have found EMERGE in a number of different ways and for a variety of different reasons. We come together with our participants to eliminate as many barriers to their success as we can. These are some of those amazing stories.
Michael
Michael’s early life was a mix of family struggles and internal battles. The weight of childhood trauma left him feeling misunderstood, fostering a short fuse and a tendency to lash out. School was a challenge and finding a sense of belonging seemed impossible. He wasn’t a ‘bad kid’, but he was lost.
Michael came to EMERGE and enrolled in the Youth Program; it became his lifeline. It wasn’t just about job training or finding an internship; EMERGE helped him build himself back up from the inside out. The weekly social-emotional groups were an eye opener. In a safe space, with skilled guidance, he learned to unpack his anger, understand his triggers, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. He wasn’t alone anymore.
The career readiness groups added a different dimension. Michael discovered hidden talents – a sharp mind, a gift for organization, and a surprising ability to connect with others. With EMERGE mentors, he explored internships that tapped into these strengths. The sense of community building, of being a part of something positive, was a powerful motivator.
Something pivotal clicked within Michael. With newfound emotional resilience and a growing sense of purpose, he finished high school with a determination he never thought possible. After applying many times to college, he finally was accepted into Augsburg and received a scholarship. Excited to continue his education in health science, he is also thinking about studying pre-law.
His experiences within EMERGE made him long to give back, to create the spaces for understanding that had been so vital to his own transformation. His story comes full circle, as most recently, Michael has landed a position as a Community Service Officer with the Columbia Heights Police Department. The job comes with challenges, but he said it feels different. There’s clarity in his interactions, an empathy born from lived experience.
Michael isn’t just a success story – he’s a symbol of hope. He shows us how, with the right support, even a troubled young person can find their path. The Youth program here at EMERGE didn’t just change his career trajectory; it helped him heal and build a foundation for a future where he can make a difference in his community.
J.S
J.S. enrolled in our EMERGE’s Reentry Program prior to his release from incarceration. While incarcerated, he earned a master barber license and because of this he was able to find work fairly quickly upon release.
However, he came to our program, because he was in search of a better career opportunity. He told us that barbering was not a career he felt he could successfully continue as got older. His goal was to become a truck driver as it would be less taxing on his body. We enrolled J.S. into our CDL career pathway training program. He studied and obtained his permit and moved on to take classes at Interstate Trucking School.
While still maintaining his barbering job on nights and weekends J.S. dedicated his days to going to CDL School and in just over a month he was able to obtain his CDL license. One week later he was able to secure employment as a CDL Driver making $28.00 an hour at Asphalt Driving.
A while later, J.S. reported to EMERGE that he purchased his own Class A Tractor and is now on the path to becoming his own Owner Operator which is his dream fulfilled!
Greg
Greg came across a flyer for EMERGE while he was still incarcerated. He reached out and connected with our staff while still in prison. Because he was so eager to get going, his case manager arranged for him to start work on the day after his release. Greg hit the ground running.
Hired at Second Chance, one of EMERGE’s social enterprises, Greg quickly learned the job skills needed and became an asset to the team. He completed Fork Lift Training and accepted all types of on-the-job training available. He took advantage of virtually everything EMERGE had to offer. This included mental health support, Job Club, Financial Wellness classes, and trauma recovery assistance. Greg participated in everything.
Greg told us, “I knew I had to get back in the swing of things and work my way up. The staff at EMERGE believed in me, so I believed in them. I didn’t want to let anyone down.”
Over his time with us, Greg learned a lot. Most importantly, he learned to believe in himself, seeing potential he never knew was there. He used his new resume, his new interview skills, and his new self-confidence to transition out of Second Chance Recycling and into a new job. Eighteen months after leaving prison, Greg had stable housing, money in the bank, and a car. He now works for a concrete construction company,making $42 an hour.
What’s next for Greg? Here’s what he told us. “I am getting my one-year goals out of the way, and I have my 5 year goals written down. I’m confident in them. I don’t have time to make mistakes anymore. I’m very optimistic that my future is bright.”
Angel
When Angel enrolled in EMERGE’s Workforce Services she faced a basic obstacle to employment. She needed to get her car repaired in order to have transportation for work. Her EMERGE job coach referred her to staff member Nina Coleman on our Financial Wellness team. From this introduction, a significant relationship was formed.
First, Nina helped Angel apply for a micro-grant to get her car repair done. Later, Angel reached out when she received a judgement related to settling a debt. When Nina connected her to a legal network, Angel was able to settle the debt at reduced cost. Through this, Angel learned the power of paying off debts. She called this ‘transformational.’
Through Nina’s coaching, Angel learned to see the value of budgeting and improving her credit. She started to manage her spending based on needs, not wants. The two worked together on an identity theft issue. Now, when things come up, Angel says “Nina is one of the first people I think of. Our relationship is really casual, and I like that. It’s not like working with a lot of other professionals.”
Over time, Angel has moved from having a number of debts in collection to opening up a few lines of credit. She sees that it’s not only possible to have a financially stable life, but a financially growing life. “This definitely prepared me for a life that I did not know I could have.”
Randy
Randy came to EMERGE upon early release for a federal conviction. His job coach, Marvin Clark, immediately saw great potential in Randy. “When Randy first came to EMERGE, he already had his nose to the grind. He’s outgoing and articulate, and he’s focused on succeeding in life.”
Randy’s first job through EMERGE was to dismantle mattresses at Second Chance Recycling. He started as a production worker and then moved to work on the loading dock. Anything he was asked to do, he did. Marvin says, “he was never late, he was always here.” After being a trainee for awhile, Randy was hired on as a permanent employee at Second Chance and received a raise.
But then, Marvin said, “I really had to push him.” Randy seemed content with his role, but Marvin saw more in him. He said, “Come on, you can do more out there. You’ve got to take a bigger step sometime.”
Eventually, Marvin’s encouragement worked. Randy agreed to look into different resources and opportunities offered through EMERGE. He was motivated to make positive changes in his life, to provide for his children. Randy said, “Marvin helped me to see what else is out there.”
But Randy still didn’t want to leave EMERGE.
With his new license in hand, Randy started driving for EMERGE’s social enterprises. Soon management saw that he could do more than that. They started watching him, and they saw that he would do anything he could, whether it was in his job position or not. Randy went from being a fill-in driver to special projects.
Most recently, EMERGE’s social enterprises have created a whole new position for Randy. In an effort to connect Second Chance Recycling and Furnish (our non-profit resale store) more closely, Randy has been designated a ‘go-between.’ He’ll help with logistics and special projects. He’ll provide transportation between the two businesses. This is a huge step for Randy and a testament to his strong work ethic.
“I’m thankful that others are seeing that same good in him as I do,” Marvin said. “I am just shook by how much he has progressed.”
Lydia
Lydia lost her job and then her home. She was pregnant and concerned about the future of her baby. She applied for public assistance, but she knew that she needed to improve herself. Then, Lydia learned about EMERGE and she became part of a pilot program we’ve led over the past year.
The program was designed to pilot new ways to work with MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program) recipients. We’ve encouraged people to think beyond a low-wage job. Instead, each participant is encouraged to pursue training for a career pathway with higher earning potential. EMERGE coaches help remove barriers, so participants can focus on school. Once EMERGE helped Lydia secure stable housing, she was ready to dive into a five-month Community Health Worker program.
But getting started was not without challenges. School wasn’t easy, especially with a new baby. “I just passed my GED by the skin of my nose, so it was a challenge to get through this.” With support and encouragement from her coach, Lydia not only completed the training, but she also excelled at it, receiving all A’s and B’s in her classes.
Over the past year, we’ve shown that when MFIP participants have access to training funds, a career coach, and assistance to overcome barriers like housing and transportation, they can pursue new goals and reach new heights. Lydia is just one of them. So far, 53 other participants are either enrolled in a training program or have completed one. In fact, for those who have completed training and are employed, the average wage is nearly $13 an hour, well above the projected project goal.
Not all eligible participants have seized the opportunity as Lydia did. For some people, it’s difficult to see beyond the immediate desire to be employed, as opposed to committing time and effort to training. But Lydia is glad she did. “I think the program was just amazing. I’m a new person today.”
Upon completing her certificate, Lydia got a job with EMERGE partner Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ). While at NAZ, she built relationships with North Minneapolis families, to help them find ways to become more successful, too. She has since left NAZ to focus on her education. She’s identified a passion for public speaking and is pursuing her associate’s degree in Communications. Lydia is ready for what her future holds. “I know I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this without the program.”
Ryan
Ryan first heard about EMERGE through his halfway house. He was on work release – which means he was given 2 months to find work. Two weeks before the deadline, he found out about EMERGE and went to an Info Session.
The day after he first met his career coach, she sent him information about a job fair at New French Bakery. At the job fair, he interviewed well and got the job! But, reliable transport was still an issue. Ryan did not have a car, and because he was assigned the second shift and needed to work in the middle of the night, he also could not take the bus. Luckily, he was able to get a ride to work through EMERGE’s van service.
Ryan says he was only scheduled 3 or 4 times a week but would get last-minute shifts. Troy, EMERGE’s lead van driver, was really flexible. He was still able to drive Ryan last minute so that he could pick up these extra shifts and work overtime.
Normally, a worker needs to be with New French Bakery for 6 months before getting a promotion, but after 3 months New French Bakery made an exception for Ryan.Out of 400 overtime hours put in company-wide for the month, 96 of those hours were Ryan. He was promoted to Shipping Manager at 15 dollars per hour.
Ryan said, “I wasn’t sure where my life was going to go. I didn’t know if I would get a job. I got this job and it really changed everything for me. Without EMERGE I wouldn’t be where I’m at now.”
Ryan says he plans to stay with New French Bakery and continue to move up in the company.
Jackie
After a long illness kept her out of the workforce, Jackie decided she needed to make a change. Because of her criminal background, she knew it would not be easy. She had completed a construction training course and earned her commercial driver’s license. Despite these credentials, she was not getting interviews.
The turning point came when Jackie got an interview at the former Momentum Enterprises, now EMERGE’s social enterprise division. She has been a trainee in our Custom Manufacturing business since June. For Jackie, this job has been transformative.
She says, “This experience has made me confident that I can do a job and work 8 hours every day. Not be late and get it done. For me, it’s a good thing. It’s the best thing so far. After being sick, getting a job and working those forty hours is a big deal. I can help support my family.”
Helping participants to become work-ready is central to our work at EMERGE. After being out of the workforce for months or years, many people are simply out of practice. They are no longer used to the routine of working a shift, being on time, and being accountable to a supervisor. Some companies entirely refuse to hire workers who do not have recent work experience. Now, EMERGE is positioned to help people prepare for private-sector jobs by building 6 – 12 months of work history in one of our enterprises.
Janet Ludden, EMERGE’s new Executive Vice President (formerly President of Momentum Enterprises), says, “People can come off the street and walk into EMERGE and get a job. There is a whole array of options leading to permanent employment. If they are not ready for full-time permanent employment, they can be hired through our social enterprises. The biggest benefit of the merger is helping more people facing significant barriers turn their lives around.”
Denise
For 7 years, Denise was a full-time grandmother while her daughter held a job outside of the home. But this summer, Denise’s daughter decided she wanted to quit her job to stay home with the children. Denise panicked, knowing she would have to find paid work.
“Who wants to hire an almost 50-year-old person? I was scared, frustrated, depressed, mad, feeling useless. For a week I cried, cried, cried.”
Denise’s son Alex* was an EMERGE participant at the time. He told Denise to contact EMERGE, too. She wasn’t sure.
“I thought, oh, he’s young. They help the young people, they don’t help the old.”
Soon after, Denise stopped by EMERGE and met Mike West, EMERGE’s Career Coach. He helped Denise fill out several job applications. A few days later, she had a job offer from a transportation company – and before the start date, she had time to complete the New Beginnings Career Workshop.
Denise’s outlook on life has completely changed, “I don’t have to look at my age because I’m qualified to do whatever I decide to do.” When asked what advice she would pass on to others considering EMERGE, Denise shared: “You can work and you can provide for your own self and you can provide for your family. . . Don’t give up. Trust that you can do what you need to do. You can be where you want to be at in life. Your life matters – you can do it.“
Deandre
Growing up, Deandre struggled in school. Due to family issues, his mom moved the family frequently, making it hard to keep up. He also suffered from test anxiety and says, “I didn’t think I would go far. I told myself I wasn’t smart enough.”
During the summer after his junior year of high school, Deandre had to attend summer school to catch up. That was when he realized he needed to make a change. He put in extra effort to make up for lost time: “I went to summer school every day. I took extra classes.”
Deandre was able to graduate high school on time, but he didn’t know what to do next. He practiced basketball every day but did not have direction or a career goal. Before joining North 4, he was unemployed and not attending school.
EMERGE North 4 Coordinator, Ron Williams, worked hard to recruit Deandre. Deandre says, “At first I was avoiding him, but I finally came to EMERGE. Ron is like my uncle now. He helped me focus on a task before moving on, he helped me be a better listener. I was surprised by how much he really cared.” During North 4, Deandre had an internship in construction. He was also chosen as a BUILD Leader and served the community as a role model & teaching an anti-violence curriculum to elementary-aged children. He says, “My brothers look up to me now. Even my older brothers!”
With renewed confidence, Deandre recently made the decision to attend college. With EMERGE’s help, Deandre applied to and was accepted at Minnesota West Community & Technical College in Worthington, Minnesota. He will attend this fall and was chosen to play basketball on the college team. Deandre doesn’t know what the future holds, but says, “Now I know I am smart enough.”
K’Sean
K’Sean was homeless and struggling when he came to EMERGE. When he first walked through our doors, he didn’t know what to expect. “I thought it would be like any other workforce center, I would fill out forms. I didn’t expect to meet all these great people. At EMERGE, they dedicate themselves personally to help you achieve. For a lot of people, it’s just a job, but here at EMERGE you really become a family and a community.”
K’Sean now has goals and was able to use resources through the North 4 program to work towards them. “I wanted to find a career. And that’s what they helped me do at EMERGE. With North 4, we went on college tours and did mock interviews.”
K’Sean was placed at Redeemer Center for Life for his North 4 internship. He flourished there, and they helped him find stable housing. Since completing North 4, K’Sean was able to continue working with EMERGE. He now has a steady temp job at Highlight Printing through EmergeWORKS.
“I’ve learned a lot of things. I’m planning to follow a career in this. I can grow into it.” K’Sean has the potential to be hired on and says, “So far, they are very welcoming. My supervisor, Lisa, has been helpful and helped accommodate me so I can get this experience.”
K’Sean has made a huge shift in his life and goals. “I’m still new to all this. I’m learning I don’t need to be afraid of change. I’m still learning how to react to everything changing so fast. These new changes are a lot of positive things. I am a new me – from the person who I was to the person I am becoming.“
Joe
Joe is a survivor and refugee of hurricane Katrina. Since relocating to Minnesota, he has hopped from part-time job to part-time job, working hard to make ends meet. At times, he has been homeless. Despite forklift training and carpentry skills, his criminal background made it difficult to get a sustainable job with opportunities to advance. Then, he learned about Second Chance, a division of EMERGE Enterprises.
Second Chance Recycling and Second Chance Manufacturing employ trainees for six months to a year, giving them a chance to build their work experience and skills while earning money and searching for private sector employment. During his interview to work with Second Chance Manufacturing, Joe says, “I was so nervous. I thought, ‘these people are so nice, what is the catch?’ They showed me consistent respect.”
During his time with Second Chance, he worked deconstructing mattresses and assembling cash register trays. Sometimes, he was able to double or triple the quota. He says, “I felt pride in my work. I could look at it and say, ‘I did that!’” Joe was also able to meet with EMERGE coaches for empowerment training and computer skills training.
After almost a year at Second Chance, Joe has earned a new job with assistance from EMERGE’s staffing service, EmergeWORKS. He is putting past maintenance and irrigation experience to work at NEON Property Maintenance. As just the second of two employees, he is also learning new skills and is responsible for aspects of advertising, business management, and accounting. Joe is excited about where the opportunity will lead him: “I’ve learned more about business – you never stop learning! It is a blessing to now have the money to look out for my mom and my niece and nephew.”
